On Tuesday 24 November 2015, 11 tourism establishments were awarded the Ecolabel, certifying them as eco-friendly accommodation.

Secretary of State for the Economy, Francine Closener, awarded these Ecolabel certificates to 3 hotels, 4 campsites, 2 youth hostels and 2 group accommodations. Establishments are classified into one of three categories, namely 'gold', 'silver' or 'bronze', depending on the results obtained during the audit. This year, four institutions reached the 'gold' level, six the 'silver and one the 'bronze'. For the next three years, these successfully audited companies will hold the right to display the Ecolabel, which will guide the choice of guests wishing to stay in eco-friendly tourism establishments.

To achieve this, companies must meet nearly 80 criteria and implement concrete actions in areas as diverse as water, energy, waste, cleaning and procurement. This form of management allows an institution to meet environmental commitments but can also allow for savings to be made in terms of waste, water and electricity.

Following the presentation of the labels, Francine Closener congratulated the managers of the establishments for their commitment to the climate and the environment, stating "I encourage companies to continue the path undertaken, helping to develop and promote quality eco-tourism in Luxembourg. Moreover, a number of measures are currentl being considered to increase the future attractiveness, visibility and value of the Ecolabel."

The Ecolabel is the result of a collaboration between the Ministry of the Economy and the Oekozenter Pafendall and received the support of the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Infrastructure. The audit is based on an internationally-recognised catalogue of criteria which examine all areas with the capacity to have a detrimental impact on the environment. The Ecolabel is therefore particularly dependent on the supply of green energy; responsible waste management; the supply of organic, Fairtrade and regional food produce; ecological and rationed use of cleaning products; and the development of public transport.

However the allocation of the EcoLabel is not wholly dependent on these tests and a range of consulting services prepares the process in advance. Commissioned by the Ministry of the Economy, the employees of the Oekozenter Pafendall organisation accompany businesses wishing to meet the challenges of the Ecolabel through the process. The recommendations of these external consultants, combined with the efforts from tourism stakeholders, contributed to the June audit.

During the ceremony, Théid Faber, president of the Oekozeter Pafendall, and Isabelle Schummers, Coordinator of EcoLabel, took the floor to explain the objectives and criteria of the label.

The 11 newly certified establishments in the 3 categories were:

Hotels:

  • Novotel Luxembourg-Kirchberg (Silver)
  • Hôtel de la Sûre, Esch-sur-Sûre (Silver)
  • Golden Tulip Central Molitor, Luxembourg (Silver)

Campsites:

  • Camping du Nord, Goebelsmühle (Gold)
  • Camping Val d'Or, Encscherange (Gold)
  • Camping Ettelbrück (Silver)
  • Camping Saint Hubert, Harlange (Bronze)

Accommodation and Group Houses:

  • Youth Hostel Luxembourg (Gold)
  • Youth Hostel Lultzhausen, Lultzhausen (Gold)
  • Misaershaff - Youth Training Centre, Arsdorf (Silver)
  • Entertainment and Recreation Centre Marjaashaff, Liefrange (Silver)

Tourist establishments looking to find out more information on the Ecolabel are able to do so by contacting the OekoZenter Pafendall at 43 90 30 44 or ecolabel@oeko.lu.

 

Photo by MECO